Daily Stats: Aspen, CO to Salt Lake City, UT (7/8)

Miles travelled: 421 mi.

Major roads travelled: I-70W, US-6W

Facts learned: The Deseret alphabet is a sound-based alphabet developed by the Mormons (promoted by Brigham Young) in the mid-1800s. / TRAX, the public transportation system in Salt Lake City, essentially operates on the honor system (we bought tickets, but they were not required for entry, nor were they checked on the train) / Salt Lake City is a quiet town ...

Classical works selected as soundtracks for the majestic Colorado/Utah scenery: Well-Tempered Clavier Book I by Bach (Gould), Horn Trio by Brahms

Funny lines of the day:

“Drive 170 miles on I-70W.” ~ Suzy, aka our GPS (last stretch of I-70 on this trip!!)

“Is this the dessert?” ~ Ann (at Grand Junction, Colorado)

“Gusty winds likely.” ~ Road Sign (encountered on US-6)

Shout outs:

-Baymont Inn - thanks for the welcome chocolate chip cookies!

-Thank you to all of our wonderful friends - your e-mails, facebook messages, text messages, and phone calls are so appreciated. It gets lonely and tiring on the road. You guys keep us smiling.

-Mom and Dad - we love you!

Link to Photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=455027&id=737260531&l=4d2ce243dc

Aspen (7/6 - 7/7)

A shimmering Aspen tree

During our journey through Colorado, we met quite a handful of residents who admitted to never having been to Aspen. After our brief time spent in this quaint town of perfect streets, cute shops, and multitudinous ski lodges, we are confused as to why. With mountains to hike, gondolas to ride, ice cream and brownies to be savored, concerts to be enjoyed ... why would one want to be anywhere else?

Link to photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=454684&id=737260531&l=48a22d214d

Shout outs:

-Thanks to engineers Chris and Kevin, for letting us sit with you in the sound room. And to Lana, for doing what you do to keep the Aspen Music Festival going.

-Happy Birthday, JCho!!! Thank you, Ryan, Ridge, and Omar at Luxor for helping with the birthday surprise.

-D, thanks for your bb morning messages. You never stop amazing me. Good times, good times!

-Our biggest thanks goes to Jihyun Kim, who shared our hikes and meals, introduced us to practically everyone in town, and got us the best seats at last night's Aspen Music Festival all-Brahms chamber music concert featuring violinist Gil Shaham, cellist Lynn Harrell, and pianist Akira Eguchi.

Jihyun, fearless leader up the Ute Trail, you made us laugh and imparted to us your love of this town called Aspen. Yet, we still don't know how you manage to look glamorous and beautiful ALL the time. Safe travels back to New York City.

Daily Stats: Boulder, CO to Aspen, CO (7/6)

Post-lunch interlude at Chautauqua National Park

Miles travelled: 214 mi.

Major roads travelled: I-70, CO-82

Facts learned: Aspen has an elevation of 7,908 feet at the city’s base. It is recommended that visitors drink lots of water to prevent dehydration due to the dryness of mountain air and increased breathing rate, a result of the decreasingly available oxygen at higher altitudes.

Classical works selected as soundtracks for the majestic Colorado scenery: Serenade for Strings by Dvořák, Appalachian Spring by Copland, Divertimento for String Orchestra by Bartók. All recordings were of chamber ensembles. (I’m definitely missing my beloved Camerata Notturna!)

Funny lines of the day:

“I feel like I’m Heidi in the mountains.” ~ Jenny (upon arriving at Chautauqua National Park)

“I personally hate attracting attention. But if you want to do this, I’ll take a picture.” ~ Jenny (in response to Ann’s proposition of whipping out her violin in the park)

“I’m stepping on the gas and nothing is happening.” ~ Ann (on one of the many sections of road that steadily climbs upward to Aspen)

Shout outs:

-Mark! We wish you were on the road with us. We love you, bro!

-Anna, thanks for your Boulder recommendations. Pearl Street Mall and Amante were great!

-Jihyun, the woman who makes the world turn. Thanks for finding us a perfect star-gazing spot in Aspen and for showing us around this town in true glamor style.

Link to Photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=454238&id=737260531&l=47c648fb58

Daily Stats: Columbia, MO to Boulder, CO (7/5)

Miles travelled: 749 mi. (our longest stretch of driving so far!)

Major roads travelled: I-70, I-70, I-70 ... did I mention I-70?

Facts learned: Missouri ties with Tennessee as the most neighborly state in the US; it borders Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennesee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas (thanks Ibby!). Speed limit increases to 75 mph in Kansas. Boulder, located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, sits at 5,430 feet above sea level.

CD Albums played thus far (in no particular order): Pieces of You (Jewel, 1995), Come Away with Me (Norah Jones, 2002), Moulin Rouge soundtrack (2001), Lying Awake (Ellery, 2006), Life for Rent (Dido, 2002), Ozomatli (1998), Best of Simon & Garfunkel - Greatest Hits, The Beatles 1, random mix albums

Funny lines of the day:

“This trip has been made possible by cruise control.” ~ Ann (somewhere in Kansas)

“I’m tired of being a nomad.” ~ Jenny (somewhere in Kansas)

Shout outs:

-To all our friends in Missouri, thank you for your wonderful well wishes and bits of wisdom.

-Lydia, we wish you safe travels back to Minneapolis!

-Anna, good luck with your move to Denver in September! Next time we pass through, we’ll drop by!

-Rob and Kathy, thank you for inspiring us with your love, enthusiasm, and generosity. We were so sad to leave you yesterday! Until the next visit ...

Link to Photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=453862&id=737260531&l=3e2019bcb1